Eat2beNICE, a consortium of 18 European university medical centres, is conducting four clinical trials to better understand the connection and mechanism between nutrition, lifestyle and mental health. The subject has been in the news recently with the publication of a study that found the Mediterranean diet could reduce and protect against symptoms depression (Lassale, University College London, in Molecular Psychiatry).
According to Lassale, people following a Mediterranean diet had a 33% lower risk of being diagnosed with depression. Among the factors that led to a higher chance of depression were those who ate processed meats, trans fats, and consumed a lot of alcohol.
Eat2beNICE is taking Lassale’s research one step further by conducting clinical trials on the Mediterranean diet to understand why the diet works. In these trials, patients will be followed closely, with samples gathered to document their microbiota. Their psychiatric symptoms will also be measured, and communications between microbiota and the brain (the “gut-brain axis”) will be better understood.
A research report can be found at: http://newbrainnutrition.com/the-mediterranean-diet-and-depression-free-report-download/.
Anyone wanting to learn more about the foods, vitamins and minerals that can help brain function will find accurate and actionable information and updates on the project website. The website will also showcase how those suffering from depression, impulsivity, compulsively, aggression, addiction, and more can live their best life.
Dr. Alejandro Arias-Vasquez, Project Director from Radboud University Medical Center states “Eat2beNICE is conducting groundbreaking research into mental health with four clinical trials and analysis of existing databases throughout Europe. Along with this research, we will publish reports, videos, online courses, and cooking shows with recipes from German celebrity chef Sebastian Lege to help provide the best information to both the public and healthcare professionals.”
Eat2beNICE is funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme grant.
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